Sky Live: Newcastle v Tottenham

Newcastle United face Tottenham Hotspur live on Sky Sports this Saturday

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has drawn a veil over another frustrating transfer window as he turns his attention to Saturday’s Premier League opener against Tottenham.

Asked if the club’s limited transfer spending would mean another fight against relegation, Benitez said: “Even doing everything, whatever you want to do, right or not, we have to fight. The Premier League is so competitive, you have to fight and it will be difficult.

“But the main thing for me – and you have to realise that this is what I have to do – is to be sure I bring the best from our players. The way to do that is to focus on football.

Newcastle vs Tottenham

August 11, 2018, 11:30am

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“We have finished the transfer window, now is the time to think about Tottenham, which is a very difficult game.”

Tottenham made history by becoming the first team not to sign a single player since the summer transfer window was introduced, but Mauricio Pochettino is not overly concerned by the lack of transfer activity.

The Argentine joined Harry Kane in signing a new long-term contract as the club embarks on a new era at their new 62,062-capacity stadium, and Spurs have also kept hold of Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele and Toby Alderweireld.

Rafa Benitez says he is ready to make the most of his current Newcastle squad

Pochettino expects the trio to now give their all to Tottenham’s attempts to mount a title bid. He said: “We’re 25 players all fighting to help the team. That’s the most important – the commitment.

“But as I said before, not for one day, not for one week, not for one month. It’s the end of the transfer window and we need players with full commitment until the transfer window opens.

“If after one month, we have players who give up, are difficult to manage, it’s difficult to create a good atmosphere in the training sessions.

“If we want to win, make the club and our fans proud, it’s about being professional, fighting for your teammate, yourself, your club and being the best. In six months, when the window opens, we can find a solution.”

1:04Mauricio Pochettino insists he is happy with his squad after no incomings

Mauricio Pochettino insists he is happy with his squad after no incomings

Team news

Newcastle could be without Mohamed Diame, who is fighting to overcome a hip injury, but Martin Dubravka (groin) is expected to be passed fit.

Defender Fabian Schar and midfielder Ki Sung-yueng – as well as Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto – could feature at St James’ Park.

However, latest arrival Federico Fernandez will not be involved after only completing his move from Swansea on Deadline Day, and fellow defender Florian Lejeune is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

Mohamed Diame is struggling to declare himself fit for the Spurs clash

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will assess his World Cup stars ahead of their Premier League opener at Newcastle.

Spurs had nine players in Russia until the final weekend and they only returned to training on Monday, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris having differing levels of fitness.

Victor Wanyama (knee) and Erik Lamela (thigh) will miss out with injuries picked up in pre-season.

Match stats

Newcastle have lost their last two league meetings with Tottenham, failing to score in both those games; they last lost three in a row against the Lilywhites in December 2005 (four consecutive defeats, all without scoring).

At St James’ Park, Newcastle have lost three of their last four league clashes with Spurs, with that win coming via their 5-1 win on the final day of the 2015-16 season.

Spurs have only failed to score in one of their last 25 Premier League meetings with Newcastle – a 0-1 home defeat in November 2013.

This will be the fourth time Newcastle and Tottenham have met on the opening weekend of a Premier League campaign, more often than any other fixture in the competition.

Tottenham are playing their first match of the season away from home for the eighth consecutive campaign. In English top-flight history, only Burnley have ever had a longer such run of playing away in a season opener (nine games between 1888-89 and 1896-97).

Tottenham have lost just one of their nine away league games in 2018 (W5 D3), losing 0-1 at West Brom in May.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has never scored a Premier League goal in the month of August, despite playing 13 games, 898 minutes and attempting 44 shots.

Merson’s prediction

This is a tough one. This was an early game last year, and Spurs got a couple of late goals, but I feel they’ll find it hard due to the World Cup.

Spurs just haven’t got their players back. Rafa Benitez will make them hard to beat. Spurs won’t have the goals early on so Newcastle will hold on this year. I’m going for a goalless draw.